Ruben Amorim took a supportive approach when quizzed on Rasmus Hojlund’s lack of goals after Manchester United knocked Leicester City out of the FA Cup.
Manchester United beat Leicester City 2-1 the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night. It was the first tie of the round and the Reds did just enough to secure their place in the fifth round, with their upcoming opponents yet to be confirmed.
The Old Trafford faithful were subjected to another drab first-half performance against the Foxes and found themselves trailing at the interval when Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored from close range.
While Patrick Dorgu made his debut and was the best player on the pitch in the first half, his replacement Alejandro Garnacho helped change the game by giving United more energy in the final third. The Argentina international created Joshua Zirkzee’s equaliser and won the free-kick that saw Harry Maguire seal the win.
It doesn’t bode well for Rasmus Hojlund that United’s fellow attacking players are having a greater impact on the pitch. That said, the Dane showed glimpses of what he can do against Ruud van Nistelrooy, without registering any goalscoring contributions.
Ruben Amorim defends Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford on Friday night.
At one point in the second half, the 22-year-old was seen having an animated conversation with Amorim, so reporters were keen to quiz United’s head coach after the match.
It’s difficult for Hojlund to enjoy his football when the service for forwards at United is minimal. The players positioned behind the Denmark international are finding it almost impossible to get him in the game and create chances for him.
However, Hojlund must share some of the responsibility as he is not making the right runs to get into space. He often appears too focused on fighting off the opposition’s defenders.
Amorim was asked about Hojlund’s 14-game goal drought before he gave a supportive response.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Amorim told reporters in his post-match press conference when asked about Hojlund getting frustrated. “I will never say anything bad about this sort of behaviour.
“He needs to understand that sometimes he needs to do a job without touching the ball. He cannot get so frustrated because maybe in the next play we will have a situation near the goal, so he has to be calm.
“But it’s his character and if you know so many players from that kind of character that he has – from that country [Denmark] – they always want more. They want to score, they feel the critic, so it’s a good thing. He will improve.
“A striker needs a very good team to deliver very good balls for him. We are not helping our strikers at the moment.”
Patrice required with Hojlund
The biggest problem Hojlund faces is responsibility.
United knew they were signing a prospect when Hojlund joined from Atalanta, but he instantly became the main man up top due to the shortage of goalscorers in the squad.
That is essentially the reason United are so reliant on the likes of Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes to win football matches.
It may help in the future to have an experienced striker. Not just for their goals but as a way for Hojlund to learn the role better.
Hojlund has strong attributes but his game needs to be finely tuned.
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